School board thanks Malone for service

MIDDLEBORO — Routine issues at last week's School Committee meeting were overshadowed by the news that this would be interim superintendent Michael F. Malone's last meeting at that position.

Mr. Malone will serve until June 30. His replacement, Dr. Rosali Weiss, "will come aboard June 4th," according to Mr. Malone. "I'm confident Dr. Weiss will bring better things to the school system."

Ms. Weiss, currently superintendent of the Narragansett Regional School District in Baldwinville, signed a three-year contract with Middleboro in January.

Mr. Malone gave a long, heartfelt speech, reflecting on past achievements while stressing the importance of continuing progress within the school system.

"We need to accept nothing but the best for our students. We need to drive what needs to be taught," said the man who has served as Middleboro's superintendent for the past two years.

Mr. Malone also thanked the people within the area and in the school system. "I would like to thank the dedicated members of the School Committee and the many volunteers (within the system). I enjoy this community, the people in Town Hall, the children, and the staff. You've been very welcoming," he said.

School Committee Chairman Sara Cederholm had kind words to say about Mr. Malone. "You've brought real clarity to the district, which we definitely needed."

"We are a better place because of you. You have made a difference in the lives of students and people in this town," said committee member Tobey Eugeno.

Mr. Malone also spoke about numerous renovations and improvements that have taken place within the school system this year which were made possible by savings found within the budget. Recently, they have bought some new furniture, renovated libraries, enhanced security, computers for teachers, laptops for special education, and the addition of wi-fi access for grades K-12, among other improvements.

The committee also spoke of several potential renovations or improvements that may need to take place in the near future. According to the committee, paint is peeling in the administration building, and there is lead in it, resulting in a need for repair. Other issues include a need for a new tractor and potentially prepaying for a special education position, among many other issues.

Ms. Cederholm added, "(We want to) remind people that this (the spending) is because of savings we have from retirees and energy savings — one-time moneys that we won't have in the following years." The school district will add the equivalent of 12.5 full-time positions next year. The new hires will join staff the department was able to add last year after a number of years where positions were eliminated and class sizes grew.

During a meeting with selectmen earlier this month Mr. Malone said the $26.5 million operating budget initially proposed for the 2012-2013 school year assumed the district will receive an additional $250,000 as a result of increases in education aid proposed by Governor Patrick. However, he said the budget, which totals $29 million when school transportation is included, required an additional $817,000 in order to balance.

The superintendent said the final draft of the budget, which has been approved by the School Committee, proposes using $598,000 in state "circuit breaker" funding that is designed to help the district offset unexpected increases in special needs costs. The district also anticipates a credit of $164,000 in overpayments to the READS collaborative and will also have $15,000 left from a $1 million federal jobs grant as well as $39,000 in unspent school choice tuition.